Disposable otoscope tip system

ABSTRACT

A disposable otoscope tip system that mounts to a head of an otoscope. The system comprising a receptacle that mounts to the head of the otoscope and a conical member that is secured to the receptacle. The conical member having a first and a second open end. The first open end includes a lip and has a greater diameter than the second open end. The first open end of the conical member being connected to the receptacle by a shoulder which extends radially inward from an inner surface of a neck to secure the lip therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to an otoscope tip. More particularly,the invention pertains to a disposable otoscope tip system.

Otoscopes are used by medical personnel primarily for examination ofexternal auditory canals and less frequently for examining nasalpassages. A standard otoscope includes a handle, a shaft and a head. Theshaft extends from the handle, and the head is secured on top of theshaft. The handle is generally made of stainless steel, while the headand shaft may be made from either stainless steel or formed hardplastic. The stainless steel handle typically is silver in color, whilethe color of the shaft and head will vary depending upon the type ofmaterial from which each is made. If the shaft or head are made ofstainless steel, then they will also be silver in color. If they aremade of formed hard plastic, then they are generally black in color.

The head of a standard otoscope includes a magnifying lens and a lightto enlarge and illuminate a targeted area for examination. The head mayalso include a port which is connected to an inner lumen having anoutlet within an annular opening that is across a front of the otoscopehead. A disposable tip having a conical shape is attached across theannular opening at the front of the head of the otoscope to direct thefield of view onto the small targeted area. The conical shape of thedisposable tip facilitates examination of the external auditory canal ornasal passage. If the head of the otoscope includes a port, then air istypically blown through the lumen, out of the outlet, into thedisposable tip and across the targeted area to observe movement of hairfilaments.

There are primarily two types of otoscopes used which representapproximately eighty percent of all otoscopes. The first type is adiagnostic or notch style otoscope, and the second type is a pneumaticor friction style otoscope. The significant difference between the twotypes of otoscopes is the manner in which the disposable tip is attachedto the head of the otoscope.

The disposable tip in the diagnostic or notch style of otoscope isattached to the head of the otoscope by a key-way system. The headgenerally includes a key-way, or notch, around the surface defining theannular opening that receives the disposable tip. Likewise, thedisposable tip has a key, or a radial outward extension formed along itsouter surface to mate with the key-way on the surface defining theannular opening at the head of the otoscope. The disposable tip is thentwisted into the annular opening of the otoscope head. Once thedisposable tip is secured to the head of the otoscope, the otoscope canbe used to view into the ear or nose of a patient during a medicalexamination.

The smaller end of the conical disposable tip defines the targeted area,or field of view. The smaller sized end of the disposable tip typicallyhas one of two different size diameters, 2.5 millimeters and 4.0millimeters. The size of the diameter that is used depends upon the sizeof the canal or passage being examined, which is generally related tothe age of the individual being examined. Babies and young childrengenerally require use of the smaller 2.5 millimeter diameter tip, whilethe larger 4.0 millimeter diameter tip can be used with older childrenand adults.

The disposable tip, however, does not always stay attached to the headof the notched style otoscope. The disposable tip may become unattachedif the key on the disposable tip was not mated correctly with thekey-way on the surface defining the annular opening of the otoscope headwhen it was secured. Additionally, during the examination, thedisposable tip may be twisted or turned causing the disposable tip tofall off of the head of the otoscope.

The second style of otoscope, the pneumatic or friction style, attachesthe disposable tip to the head of the otoscope by friction. Thedisposable tip is held onto the surface defining the annular opening ofthe head of the otoscope by contact between the two surfaces. Movementof the otoscope during the examination tends to loosen this connection.Also, a loose connection may result from the disposable tip not havingbeen sufficiently secured or pushed onto the surface defining theannular opening. Both situations can result in the disposable tipfalling off of the head of the otoscope during the examination. Thefriction style attachment between the disposable tip and the annularopening of the head of the otoscope thus does not provide a very securemeans of connection. The disposable tip used with the pneumatic orfriction style of otoscope also typically includes openings havingeither a diameter of 2.5 millimeters or 4.0 millimeters at its smallerdiameter end.

Medical personnel within the same facility may use both the notch andthe friction style of otoscope. Medical facilities are then forced tostock both types of disposable tips. Because each type of disposable tiphas a smaller and a larger opening to define the viewing area, themedical facility is required to maintain and stock at least fourdifferent types of disposable tips.

Another problem arises in attempting to use either of the two standardtypes of otoscopes when examining a young child. The standard otoscopesare uninviting and intimidating to a young child. A young child isunfamiliar with and typically frightened by the otoscope. Young childrenwill typically resist allowing medical personnel to examine them withthe otoscope. This usually results in the child's parent or othermedical personnel restraining the child in order to conduct theexamination. The child's fear and the difficulty of restraining them isonly exacerbated when a child has an ailment, such as when they may havean ear infection. The child's sensitivity in the area to be examined,such as the ear, only heightens their uneasiness and fear of the foreignotoscope instrument.

There is no known otoscope disposable tip system which is inviting tochildren and standardizes a positive and secure connection between adisposable tip and an otoscope.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a device and method for a disposable otoscope tipsystem that is inviting to children and standardizes a positive secureconnection between a disposable otoscope tip and an otoscope. Thedisposable otoscope tip system comprises a hollow conical member and areceptacle. The hollow conical member has a first and a second open end,while the receptacle has an annular passage from a first annular openingto a second annular opening. The first annular opening of the receptaclehas securing means which mount the receptacle to a head of the otoscope.The second annular opening of the receptacle has a neck around theannular passage. The neck has a diameter which is slightly larger thanthe second annular opening of the receptacle. The neck also includes ashoulder around an inner surface of the neck. The first open end of theconical member has a diameter which is larger than a diameter of thesecond open end of the conical member, but which is slightly less thanthe diameter of the inner surface of the neck of the receptacle. Thefirst open end of the conical member also includes a lip that extendsradially outward. The lip has an outer diameter which is sized to fitwithin the neck of the receptacle and which when inserted is securedtherein by the shoulder. The first open end of the conical member isthus connected to the neck at the second annular opening of thereceptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 3A is a front view of a first embodiment a receptacle.

FIG. 3B is a sectional view along section 3B—3B of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a back view of the first embodiment of the receptacle.

FIG. 4A is a front view of a second embodiment of the receptacle.

FIG. 4B is a sectional view along section 4B—4B of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a back view of the second embodiment of the receptacle.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a conical member.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a conical member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A preferred embodiment of an otoscope tip system 10 is shown in FIG. 1.The tip system 10 is used in conjunction with an otoscope 12 by medicalpersonnel to examine primarily the external auditory canal of an ear, orless frequently to examine a nasal passage. The otoscope 12 includes ahandle 14 from which a shaft 16 extends to a head 18. The tip system 10is mounted to the head 18 of the otoscope 12. The head 18 includes alighted magnifying glass to look through for examining a desired areawith an enlarged, illuminated view. The head 18 can also include a portwhich is connected to an interior lumen through the head that terminatesin an outlet near the magnifying lens. The port is typically connectedto a tube to provide air flow that is directed through the otoscope tipand across the area of observation to view movement of hair filaments aspart of the examination. The head 18 and the shaft 16 can be made fromeither stainless steel or hard formed plastic. If they are made out ofstainless steel, then they are generally silver in color. If they aremade out of hard formed plastic, then they are generally black in color.The handle 14 is generally made out of stainless steel and is silver incolor.

The tip system 10 preferably includes a receptacle 20 and a conicalmember 22. The receptacle 20 mounts to the head 18 of the otoscope 12.The conical member 22 is secured to the receptacle 20 and defines asmall directed field of view through the magnifying lens in the head 18of the otoscope 12. In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle 20 isformed with facial features of an animal to include a mouth 24, a pairof ears 26, a pair of eyes 28 and a nose that is provided by the conicalmember 22 when it is secured to the receptacle 20. The facial featuresincorporated into the receptacle 20, as shown in FIG. 1, are preferablythat of an elephant. However, facial features of another animal could beused as well.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of thedisposable otoscope tip system 10. In FIG. 2, the conical member 22 isseparated from the receptacle 20. The receptacle 20 includes a firstannular opening 30 (at a back side of the receptacle 20 that is onlypartially shown in FIG. 2), a second annular opening 32 (at a front sideof the receptacle 20), and an annular passage 34 therethrough. Thesecond annular opening 32 of the annular passage 34 includes a neck 36having an inner surface 38. Around the inner surface 38 of the neck 36is a shoulder 40 which extends radially inward and includes a rampsurface 41 on a side of the shoulder 40 opposite the second annularopening 32. In a preferred embodiment, the shoulder 40 is placed atintermittent locations around the inner surface 38 of the neck 36,rather than being formed continuously around the neck 36.

The second annular opening 32 of the receptacle 20 has a diameter whichis less than a diameter of the first annular opening 30. The diameter ofthe second annular opening 32 is also less than a diameter of the neck36, which is defined by the inner surface 38. The second annular opening32 thus creates a radial side wall 42 between the annular passage 34 atthe second annular opening 32 and the inner surface 38 of the neck 36.The second annular opening 32 preferably has intermittent breaks thatare aligned with the intermittent placement of the shoulder 40 along theinner surface 38 of the neck 36 for ease of manufacturing.

The conical member 22 comprises a first end 44 and a second end 46. Theconical member 22 is hollow and has a diameter at the first open end 44which is larger than a diameter at the second open end 46. A lip 48preferably extends radially outward from the first end 44 of the conicalmember 22. The outer diameter of the lip 48 is sized to fit within theneck 36 located at the second annular opening 32 of the receptacle 20,yet be secured by the shoulder 40. In a preferred embodiment, the outerdiameter of the lip 48 is approximately 14.8 millimeters, with the lip48 extending radially outward from the outer surface of the conicalmember 22 approximately 0.38 millimeters. The diameter of the innersurface 38 defining the neck 36 is therefore slightly larger than 14.8millimeters (e.g., approximately 15.0 millimeters) to allow the lip 48to fit therein. The radial side wall 42 preferably extends inward to actas a stop for the first end 44 and defines the second annular opening32. The second annular opening 32 preferably has an inner diameter ofapproximately 12.9 millimeters. The shoulder 40 preferably extendsradially inward approximately 0.60 millimeters from the inside surface38 of the neck 36 to secure the lip 48. The conical member 22 and thereceptacle 20 are preferably made of formed non-latex, polymericmaterial, however, substitute materials could also be used.

In a preferred embodiment, the conical member 22 includes a base section50 and a nozzle section 52. The base section 50 preferably has a greaterconical slope than the nozzle section 52. The slope of the base section50 creates a natural transition from the receptacle 20 when the conicalmember 22 is attached to the receptacle 20. The slope of the nozzlesection 52 directs the field of view onto the small targeted area andassists in the directioning of light from the head 18 of the otoscope12.

The conical member 22 is secured to the receptacle 20 by applying acompressive force therebetween. The first end 44 of the conical member22 is inserted into the neck 36 of the receptacle 20. The first end 44then contacts the ramp surface 41 of the shoulder 40. The conical member22 is compressed against the ramp surface 41 until it passes over theramp surface 41 and is stopped by the radial side wall 42. Again, theside wall 42 defines the second annular opening 32 of the annularpassage 34 for the receptacle 20 connected to the head 18 of theotoscope 12. At this point, the lip 48, at the first end 44 of theconical member 22, is secured by the shoulder 40 within the neck 36 atthe second annular opening 32 of the receptacle 20. As the lip 48 slidesover the ramp surface 41 and beyond the shoulder 40, an audible sound orsnap generally occurs indicating a positive connection has been madebetween the conical member 22 and the receptacle 20.

FIG. 3A is a front view of a first embodiment of the receptacle 20 usedwith the disposable otoscope tip system 10. FIG. 3A more clearly showsthe shoulder 40 and the ramping surface 41 which extend from the innersurface 38 of the neck 36 at the second annular opening 32 of thereceptacle 20. The shoulder 40 and the ramping surface 41 extendradially inward from the inner surface 38. In this embodiment of theinvention, there are three of the shoulders 40 and the ramping surfaces41 which extend inward from the inner surface 38 of the neck 36 toretain the lip 48 of the conical member 22. The three shoulders 40 andthe three ramping surfaces 41 of the first embodiment of the inventionare placed approximately equidistant around the inner surface 38.

Opposite the three shoulders 40 that are within the neck 36, are threesections of the side wall 42 which extend radially inward to define thesecond annular opening 32 next to a base of the neck 36. The innerdiameter of the side wall 42 defines the annular passage 34 at thesecond annular opening 32 of the receptacle 20. Due to the shorter innerdiameter of the side wall 42 compared to the neck 36, the side wall 42acts as a stop for the conical member 22 when it is compressed into theneck 36 of the receptacle 20. The side wall 42 prevents the first end 44of the conical member 22 from being compressed beyond the neck 36 of thereceptacle 20. As previously discussed, the side wall 42 is preferablyplaced intermittently around the second annular opening 32 opposite theshoulder 40 for simplified manufacturing purposes. Alternatively, theside wall 42 and the shoulder 40 could each be formed from a continuousring.

FIG. 3B is a sectional view along a section 3B—3B of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3Bmore clearly illustrates the means by which the receptacle 20 is securedto the head 18 of the otoscope 12 in the first embodiment. One of theprimary techniques used to secure a standard tip to the head 18 of theotoscope 12 is by friction. For a friction type of otoscope, the firstembodiment of the receptacle 20 is used as part of the disposableotoscope tip system 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the annular passage 34 of the receptacle 20is in part defined by an annular wall 54. The annular wall 54 terminatesat the first annular opening 30 of the receptacle 20. A notch 56 is cutout of a portion of the annular wall 54 at the first annular opening 30to accommodate the shaft 16 of the otoscope 12 as the receptacle 20 isslid over or within the head 18 of the otoscope 12 for connection. Theannular wall 54 extends in an annular direction a sufficient distance toensure that the receptacle 20 is securely mounted to the head 18 of theotoscope 12. Preferably, the annular wall 54 extends approximately 8millimeters beyond a radial stop surface 58 formed by an outwardlyraised surface in the annular wall 54. The raised stop surface 58contacts an end of an annular housing on the head 18 of the otoscope 12.The annular wall 54 slides within the annular housing on the head 18 ofthe otoscope 12 until the radial stop 58 contacts the housing. The notch56 allows the annular wall 54 to slide further within the housing andpartially around the shaft 16 to more securely mount the receptacle 20to the head 18 of the otoscope 12.

A funnel section 60 is located near the second annular opening 32 of thereceptacle 20. The funnel section 60 reduces the diameter of the annularpassage 34 defined by the annular wall 54 to the diameter of the sidewall 42 at the second annular opening 32. Preferably, that portion ofthe funnel section 60 that coincides with the side wall 42 has a greaterslope than that portion of the funnel section 60 that coincides with theshoulder 40 to simplify manufacturing of the receptacle 20. The funnelsection 60 preferably has a slope that creates an angle of approximately60 degrees with a center line of the annular passage 34 along thesection that corresponds to the second annular opening 32. Whereas thefunnel section 60 preferably has a slope that creates an angle ofapproximately 45 degrees with the center line of the annular passage 34along the section that corresponds to the shoulder 40.

FIG. 3C is a back view of a first embodiment of the receptacle 20. Theintermittent placement of either the side wall 42 that defines thesecond annular opening 32 or the shoulder 40 of the receptacle 20 isshown. Additionally, the varying slopes of the funnel section 60 whichcoincide with the annular opening 32 and the shoulder 40 are alsoillustrated. As shown in FIG. 3C, the diameter of the annular passage 34at the second annular opening 32, defined by the side wall 42, is lessthan the diameter of the first annular opening 30, defined by theannular wall 54.

FIG. 4A provides a front view of a second embodiment of a receptacle 120that is used with a notch style of otoscope. The notch style of otoscopeutilizes a key-way technique for securing a disposable tip with a key toa housing at a front of a head of the otoscope rather than friction. Inorder to accommodate this type of mounting technique, a key 62 extendsradially inward from within the annular passage 134 to mate with akey-way or groove placed in an annular opening in the head of the notchstyle of otoscope. By placing the key 62 of the receptacle 120 in thekey-way or groove of the head of the notch style of otoscope andtwisting, the second embodiment of the receptacle 120 is secured to thehead of the otoscope.

Similar to the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the receptacle120 also includes a shoulder 140 which extends radially inward from aninner surface 138 of a neck 136. The neck 136 is placed at a secondannular opening 132 of the receptacle 120. The second annular opening132 is defined by a side wall 142 which extends radially inward anddefines the annular passage 134 at the second annular opening 132. Theradial side wall 142 also extends radially inward, further than theshoulders 140, to act as a stop for the first end 44 of the conicalmember 22. Similar to the first embodiment, the side wall 142 and theshoulder 140 are placed intermittently in an alternating manner aroundthe annular passage 134 for ease of manufacturing. In the secondembodiment of the receptacle 120, however, there is no side wall 142 orshoulder 140 placed along that portion of the annular passage 134 thatcoincides with the key 62. Again, this is done for ease of manufacturingof the receptacle 120.

In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle 120 only includes two of theshoulders 140 to retain the lip 48 of the conical member 22. To ensure asecure connection between the conical member 22 and the receptacle 120,the two shoulders 140 used with the receptacle 120 are placed along theinner surface 138 of the neck 136 opposite each other. The conicalmember 22 is secured to the receptacle 120 in a manner similar to thatused to connect the conical member 22 to the receptacle 20.

FIG. 4B is a sectional view along section 4B—4B of FIG. 4A. Asillustrated in FIG. 4B, the second embodiment of the receptacle 120similarly includes an annular wall 154 that defines in part the size ofthe annular passage 134 and terminates at a first annular opening 130 ofthe receptacle 120. However, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the annular wall154 of the second embodiment is much shorter than the annular wall 54 ofthe first embodiment. Additionally, the second embodiment of thereceptacle 120 also includes a funnel section 160 which reduces adiameter of the annular passage 134 at the second annular opening 132compared to a diameter defined by the annular wall 154 at the first end130. Again, the funnel section 160 has a greater slope along thatportion which coincides with the side wall 142 and a smaller slope alongthat portion which coincides with the shoulders 140. The key 62 ispreferably placed within the funnel section 160 along a section whichcoincides with the side walls 142. The side walls 142 preferably contactthe housing at the front of the head of the notch style of otoscope.Placing the key 62 in this manner will more likely ensure that the key62 is maintained within the key-way or groove placed in the head of thenotch style of otoscope and more securely mount the receptacle 120.

FIG. 4C illustrates a back view of the second embodiment of thereceptacle 120. As illustrated in FIG. 4C, the diameter of the secondannular opening 132 defined by the side wall 142 for the annular passage134 is less than the diameter defined by the annular wall 154 at thefirst annular opening 130. Further, the receptacle 120 has two of theshoulders 140 preferably placed opposite each other. Opposite theshoulders 140 are the side walls 142 placed around the second annularopening 132. The funnel section 160 decreases the diameter of theannular passage 134 through the receptacle 120. The funnel section 160has a steeper slope over that portion which is coincident with the sidewalls 142, as compared with that portion which coincides with theshoulders 140. The slope of the funnel section 160 that coincides withthe key 62 is equal to the slope of the section 160 along the side walls142. The funnel section 160 creates an angle with a center line of theannular passage 134 of approximately 60 degrees along that sectioncorresponding to the second annular opening 132 and approximately 45degrees along that section corresponding to the shoulder 140.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the conical member 22. FIG. 5 illustratesthe steeper slope of the conical member 22 along the base section 50 ascompared with the nozzle section 52. Preferably, the lip 48 at the firstend 44 of the conical member 22 extends radially outward, approximately0.38 millimeters from the outside diameter of the first end 44 of theconical member 22. In a preferred embodiment, the inside diameter of thefirst end 44 is approximately 13.12 millimeters, and the outer diameterof the lip 48 at the first end 44 is approximately 14.8 millimeters.

The inside diameter at the second end 46 of the conical member 22 isless than the inside diameter at the first end 44. In a preferredembodiment, the inside diameter at the second end 46 can vary toaccommodate different situations such as the age of a patient or thesize of their external auditory canal. In FIG. 5, the inside diameter ofthe second end 46 is 4.0 millimeters. The conical member 22 preferablyhas an overall length of approximately 26.5 millimeters, comprised ofthe base section 50 having a length of approximately 9.50 millimetersand the nozzle section 52 having a length of approximately 17.0millimeters.

In a preferred embodiment, the conical member 22 creates an angle ofapproximately 33.5 degrees along the base section 50 and approximately12.1 degrees along the nozzle section 52, for the 4.0 millimeterdiameter opening at the second end 46. The conical member 22 preferablyhas a wall thickness of approximately 0.50 millimeters.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a conical member122. The second embodiment of the conical member 122 differs from thefirst embodiment in that the opening at a second end 146 is smaller andthus the slope along a nozzle section 152 is greater. All otherdimensions between the two embodiments preferably remain the same.

Similar to the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the conicalmember 122 has a first end 144 from which a lip 148 extends radiallyoutward. The conical member 122 also includes a base section 150 at thefirst end 144 and the nozzle section 152 at the second end 146. However,in the second embodiment of the conical member 122, the opening at thesecond end 146 has a diameter of 2.5 millimeters, instead of 4.0millimeters. Because all other dimensions are preferably the samebetween the two embodiments, the smaller diameter opening at the secondend 146 causes the nozzle section 152 to have a greater slope angle thanthe nozzle section 52. The nozzle section 152 has an angle ofapproximately 16.9 degrees, slightly steeper than the 12.1 degree anglefor the nozzle section 52. As a result of all other dimensions remainingthe same between the conical members 122 and 22, especially at the firstend 144 and 44 respectively, the conical members 122 and 22 areuniversalized and can be interchangeably used with either of thereceptacles 20 or 120. Additionally, either of the conical member 122 or22 could also be secured directly to an otoscope employing a shouldertype style mounting technique rather than a notch or friction typemounting style.

The disposable otoscope system provides a positive and secure manner ofmounting a conical member to a head of an otoscope. The system includesa receptacle which has securing means for connecting to either a notchor a friction style of otoscope, thereby universalizing the type ofconical member for the majority of otoscopes used by medical personnel.Universalizing the conical member also benefits medical facilities whowill only have to monitor, maintain and deal with stocking one style ofconical member, rather than multiple styles. Medical facilities willfurther benefit from a universalized conical member by being able to buythe same style conical member in greater bulk numbers, thus likelyleading to a lower per unit cost.

A further benefit of the disposable otoscope system is that thereceptacle and conical member can be formed with facial features of ananimal so that when the system is secured to the otoscope it is invitingto children. This will improve the manner and therefore the results ofthe examination from the perspective of the child, the parents, and themedical personnel performing the examination. The otoscope system iseconomically constructed from non-latex, polymeric material. Thedisposable otoscope system is also competitively priced because it,similar to existing tip designs, only requires replacement of theconical member.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. For instance, the dimensions of either thereceptacle or conical section can be altered. More specifically, thediameter of the second end of the conical member can be adjusted to adesired diameter. Additionally, the side wall defining the annularopening at the second end of the receptacle and the shoulder within theneck of the receptacle can form continuous rings rather thanintermittent rings. The conical member can also be formed from a singlesection defined by a constant angle or a smooth curve. By use of thedisposable otoscope tip system, a manner of positively securing astandardized disposable tip to an otoscope that is inviting to childrenis provided.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable otoscope tip for use with areceptacle that is mounted on an otoscope, the disposable tipcomprising: a conical member having a first and a second open end withan open passage therebetween, wherein a diameter of the first open endis greater than a diameter of the second open end; and a lip located atthe first open end having an outer diameter of approximately 14.8millimeters that is retained by the receptacle when the conical memberis compressed therein and provides the only means for securing theconical member to allow examination through the second open end of theconical member.
 2. The disposable otoscope tip of claim 1, wherein theconical member has a wall thickness of approximately 0.50 millimeters.3. The disposable otoscope tip of claim 1, wherein the lip extendsapproximately 0.38 millimeters radially outward from the conical member.4. The disposable otoscope tip of claim 1, wherein the conical memberfurther comprises: a base section at the first open end; and a nozzlesection next to the base section at the second open end, wherein theslope of the conical member along the base section is greater than alongthe nozzle section.
 5. The disposable otoscope tip of claim 4, whereinthe conical member creates an angle of approximately 33.5 degrees alongthe base section.
 6. The disposable otoscope tip of claim 1 wherein thetip has a length of approximately 26.50 millimeters.
 7. The disposableotoscope tip of claim 1, wherein the second open end of the conicalmember has a diameter of approximately 2.5 millimeters.
 8. Thedisposable otoscope tip of claim 1, wherein the second open end of theconical member has a diameter of approximately 4.0 millimeters.
 9. Thedisposable otoscope tip of claim 1, wherein the conical member alongwith the receptacle includes facial features of an animal.
 10. Adisposable otoscope tip system for mounting onto a head of an otoscope,the disposable otoscope tip system comprising: a disposable tip whichincludes a hollow, conical member having a first open end with adiameter that is larger than a diameter of a second open end, a lip thatextends radially outward at the first open end of the conical member;and a receptacle having an annular passage therethrough from a firstannular opening to a second annular opening; the receptacle including: aneck around the second annular opening of the receptacle, the neckhaving a diameter that is slightly larger than the annular passage atthe second annular opening of the receptacle to receive within the neckthe lip that is located at the first open end of the conical member; ashoulder extending radially inward along an inner surface of the neckthat retains the lip when the conical member is compressed into the neckand the lip is pushed beyond the shoulder to provide the only means forsecuring the conical member therein; and securing means at the firstannular opening of the receptacle for mounting the receptacle to thehead of the otoscope.
 11. The disposable otoscope tip system of claim10, wherein the securing means at the first annular opening of thereceptacle includes an annular wall for mounting the receptacle to thehead of the otoscope by friction.
 12. The disposable otoscope tip systemof claim 10, wherein the securing means at the first annular opening ofthe receptacle includes a key which extends radially inward along theannular passage of the receptacle for mounting the receptacle to thehead of the otoscope by a key-way system.
 13. The disposable otoscopetip system of claim 10, wherein the annular passage at the secondannular opening of the receptacle includes a radial side wall at a baseof the neck.
 14. The disposable otoscope tip system of claim 13, whereinthe radial side wall acts as a stop to the first open end of the conicalmember when it is inserted and secured by the shoulder within the neckof the receptacle.
 15. The disposable otoscope tip system of claim 10,wherein the shoulder includes a ramp surface along the inner surface ofthe neck on a side of the shoulder opposite the second annular openingof the receptacle.
 16. The disposable otoscope tip system of claim 10,wherein the lip of the conical member has an outer diameter ofapproximately 14.8 millimeters.
 17. The disposable otoscope tip systemof claim 16, wherein the neck has an inner diameter defined by the innersurface of approximately 15.0 millimeters.
 18. The disposable otoscopetip system of claim 17, wherein the shoulder extends radially inwardapproximately 0.60 millimeters from the inner surface of the neck. 19.The disposable otoscope tip system of claim 18, wherein the annularopening at the second end of the receptacle has a diameter ofapproximately 12.9 millimeters.
 20. The disposable otoscope tip systemof claim 16, wherein the lip extends radially outward from the conicalmember approximately 0.38 millimeters.
 21. The disposable otoscope tipsystem of claim 10, wherein the receptacle includes facial features ofan animal.
 22. A disposable otoscope tip system for mounting onto a headof an otoscope, the disposable tip system comprising: a receptacleincluding: a first and a second annular opening; a passage along anannular axis of the receptacle from a center of the first annularopening to a center of the second annular opening, the first annularopening having a larger diameter than the second annular opening;securing means at the first annular opening for mounting the receptacleto the head of the otoscope; a neck located at the second annularopening which has an inner surface with a diameter that is greater thanthe diameter at the second annular opening; and a shoulder along theinner surface of the neck extending radially inward; and a disposabletip which includes a hollow, conical member having a first and a secondopen end, such that a diameter of the first open end fits within theinner surface of the neck and is larger than a diameter of the secondannular opening, and a lip that extends radially outward from the firstopen end of the conical member, and is retained within the neck of thereceptacle by the shoulder when the conical member is compressed thereinto provide the only means for securing the conical member to thereceptacle.
 23. The disposable otoscope tip system of claim 22, whereinthe securing means at the first annular opening of the receptacleincludes an annular wall for mounting the receptacle to the head of theotoscope by friction.
 24. The disposable otoscope tip system of claim22, wherein the securing means at the first annular opening of thereceptacle includes a key that extends radially inward from the passagewithin the receptacle for mounting the receptacle to the head of theotoscope by a key-way system.
 25. The disposable otoscope tip system ofclaim 22, wherein the shoulder includes a ramp surface along the innersurface of the neck on a side of the shoulder opposite the secondannular opening of the receptacle.
 26. The disposable otoscope tipsystem of claim 22, wherein the neck has an inner diameter defined bythe inner surface of approximately 15.0 millimeters.
 27. The disposableotoscope tip system of claim 26, wherein the shoulder extends radiallyinward approximately 0.60 millimeters from the inner surface of theneck.
 28. The disposable otoscope tip system of claim 27, wherein thelip of the conical member has an outer diameter of approximately 14.8millimeters.
 29. The disposable otoscope tip system of claim 28, whereinthe lip extends radially outward from the conical member approximately0.38 millimeters.
 30. The disposable otoscope tip system of claim 22,wherein the conical member further comprises: a base section at thefirst open end; and a nozzle section next to the base section at thesecond open end, wherein the slope of the conical member along the basesection is greater than along the nozzle section.
 31. The disposableotoscope tip system of claim 30 wherein the tip has a length ofapproximately 26.50 millimeters.
 32. The disposable otoscope tip systemof claim 22, wherein the second open end of the conical member has adiameter of approximately 2.5 millimeters.
 33. The disposable otoscopetip system of claim 22, wherein the second open end of the conicalmember has a diameter of approximately 4.0 millimeters.
 34. A method ofmounting a disposable otoscope tip onto a receptacle secured to anotoscope, the method including: aligning a first open end of a hollowconical member with the receptacle of the otoscope, the receptaclehaving facial features of an animal; and pushing the conical member sothat the first open end is received into the receptacle on the otoscopeuntil a lip, which extends radially outward from the first open end ofthe conical member and has an outer diameter of approximately 14.8millimeters, is secured by a shoulder, which extends radially inwardalong an inner surface of a neck in the receptacle, to provide the onlymeans for securing the conical member and completing the facial featurescreated by the receptacle.
 35. The method of claim 34 and furtherincluding pushing the conical member so that the lip at the first openend is secured by the shoulder and the first open end of the conicalmember contacts a stop surface at a base of the neck created by a radialside wall which defines an annular passage at a second annular openingof the receptacle, the second annular opening having a diameter that isless than a diameter of the annular passage at a first annular openingof the receptacle which mounts the receptacle to the otoscope.
 36. Amethod of mounting a disposable otoscope tip system comprising:attaching a receptacle having some facial features of an animal to anotoscope, the receptacle having an annular passage between a first and asecond annular opening, such that the first annular opening is mountedto a head of the otoscope while the second annular opening has a neckwith an inner surface from which a shoulder extends radially inward; andattaching a first open end of a conical member to the receptacle bycompression, wherein the conical member functions as a component indeveloping the facial features of the animal, the first open end havinga greater diameter than a second open end of the conical member andhaving a lip extending radially outward from the first open end, whereinthe lip is retained by the shoulder within the neck of the receptaclewhen the conical member is compressed therein providing the only meansfor securing the conical member to the receptacle and to complete thefacial features created by the otoscope tip system.
 37. The method ofclaim 36 and further including sliding an annular wall of the receptaclewhich defines the annular passage at the first annular opening into ahousing on a head of the otoscope to attach the receptacle to theotoscope by friction between the annular wall and the housing.
 38. Themethod of claim 36 and further including: placing a key that extendsradially inward from the annular passage of the receptacle into akey-way on a head of the otoscope; and twisting the receptacle relativeto the otoscope to cause the key on the receptacle to travel along thekey-way of the otoscope to secure the receptacle to the otoscope. 39.The method of claim 36 and further including the receptacle havingfacial features of an animal.